The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-20
RIVALRY OF MAGAZINES.
Some of Them are Enjoying an Amaz-
ing Amount of Prosp rity.

Some of Them are Enjoying an Anaz-
ing Amount of Prosp rity.
New YORK, Nov. 19.-The rivalry among
the magazines of New York is hardly less
than among the daily papers, though, of
course, far less obtrusive. Before the war
we had only two monthlies in this citv,
Hd1per'S and Pttndar's. The last named,
/ think was buried long ago. But now in
order to keep the run of things in that ine,
we must buy at least four times as many on
the first of every month. We have the old
North american, which was brought
here from Boston; and we have the
Cosmopolitan, which was brought here
from Buffalo and we have the American,
which was brought over from Brooklyn.
We have the Forum, and the Century, and
the Popular Science, and HGrper's, an
Sci'ibneT's, not TO speak of DeHOreSt's and
the chronological and others that are de-
voted to special lines of activity. In the
magazine field New York is to the United
States what London is to England--the only
place where they flourish In luxuriance.
Boston has but one literary monthly, the
old Atlantic. Philadelphia but one, Lippiu-
cotts; and as for Chicago, Cincinnati, st.
Louis, San Francisco and New Orleans, all
efforts TO establish such periodicals in them
have turned out failures
Nearly all of these New York magazines
are enjoying an amazing measure of pros
perity. The older ones, like Hdrper's and
the North American, Notwithstanding the
appearance of energetic rivals. circulate Ter
more extensively than they did a few years
ago. The Century is n marvel of success,
and the newer ventures are boaSting of their
strides toward the front ranks. The three
which have ben transplanted from other
cities to New y ork, haYe found the advan-
tage of the change, especially the
...,fL A4,., trh hYyf
withered stalk in Boston, is now rich with
the green leaves of a new life.
The rivalry between the magazines of
New York is very great at present Their
market is the whole country. Their reve-
nues increase with the growth Of intell-
gence. As their success depends on the
quality and attractiveness aud their con-
tents, there is intellectual as well as busi-
ness rivalry. and the extent TO which this is
carried may be seen in the fialnboyant
promises Of the advertisements which they
are issuing at this season of the year.
Famous names are heralded abroad by the
publishers, and saoving or taking themes
or fascinating romaDces or charming
illustrations, are put In competition
one is almost bewildered by the spec
tacle. All this furnishes opportunity for
competent writers in every field of letters,
and it is certain that never before were the
openings so great for such writers in our
country. Young literary aspirants are
always assuring each other that there is no
chance for genius nowadays, but they can
learn in the Office of every magazine that
the competition to secure genius" is active
ly pursued the whole year round.
The influence of the New Y ork magazines
upon the literary and artistic culture of the
country is very great, and it is matter OF
pride that the character Of all of thAra
makes them worthy Of their fortunes.
JOHN SwINToE.